Golf shoes

ABSTRACT

A pair of shoes includes a trailing shoe and a leading shoe. The trailing shoe includes a first transverse strap anchored at a first lateral point (X 1 ) on the first shoe and running to a first loop at a medial point (Y 1 ) on the first shoe, and a second angled strap anchored at the first lateral point (X 1 ′) on the first shoe and running to a second loop at a medial angled point (Z 1 ) at a distance (D 1 ) towards the heel on the first shoe. The leading shoe includes a second transverse strap anchored at a second medial point (X 2 ) on the second shoe and running to a third loop at the lateral point (Y 2 ) on the second shoe, and a second angled strap anchored at the second medial point (X 2 ′) on the second shoe and running to a fourth loop at a lateral angled point (Z 2 ) at a distance (D 2 ) towards the heel on the first shoe.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/240,204 filed Oct. 12, 2015 and entitled Sport Shoes, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to sports equipment, and, in particular to sport shoes for golf and other sports.

INTRODUCTION

The following paragraphs are not an admission that anything discussed in them is prior art or part of the knowledge of persons skilled in the art.

In the sport of golf, stroke mechanics includes the way in which golfers make decisions, such as selecting clubs and shots, and execute the decisions by making shots. Golfing includes a pre-stroke, in which golfer chooses which club they want and their stance, and the actual stroke. The stroke is a complex motion. The golf swing has been studied by scientists and mathematicians who have developed various equations to help explain the complexity of the swing. It is generally agreed that a successful and consistent golf swing requires precise timing and mechanics, from the grip and position of one's fingers, to the position and movement of the feet. At any moment of the swing, whether back swing, down swing, or upswing, anything can go wrong that will throw off the whole body and result in a miss hit.

Further, the sport of golf is contrasted with extensive walking in shoes with the occasional high mile per hour swing causing rotation and abrupt forces on the foot. Issues such as plantar fasciitis may result from playing golf. Accordingly, it may be desirable to improve the golf shoe.

In other sports, weightlifting shoes include laces and straps that run parallel to each other, as the forces created by the sport of weightlifting are largely symmetrical across both feet. While the straps provide additional support to the user's foot, the support in such shoes is, by design, provided only in one plane.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, there is a pair of shoes comprising: a trailing shoe including: a first transverse strap anchored at a first lateral point (X1) on the first shoe and running to a first loop at a medial point (Y1) on the first shoe; a second angled strap anchored at the first lateral point (X1′) on the first shoe and running to a second loop at a medial angled point (Z1) at a distance (D1) towards the heel on the first shoe; a leading shoe including: a second transverse strap anchored at a second medial point (X2) on the second shoe and running to a third loop at the lateral point (Y2) on the second shoe; and a second angled strap anchored at the second medial point (X2′) on the second shoe and running to a fourth loop at a lateral angled point (Z2) at a distance (D2) towards the heel on the first shoe.

The trailing shoe is a right shoe and the leading shoe is a left shoe, and the user swings from left to right. The trailing shoe is a left shoe and the leading shoe is a right shoe, and the user swings from left to right. The swing is a golf swing. The transverse strap runs across and proximal to the first metatarsal phalangeal joint. The first transverse strap and first angled strap form a “V” shape. The second transverse strap and the second angled strap form a “V” shape. The V points opposite the direction of ball travel caused by a swinging golf club.

The pair of shoes further include a fascia and muscle maintenance pouch having a pull through cord and anchor at pouch opening. The pair of shoes further include a roller ball with nodules throughout the circumference of the ball. The pair of shoes further include a material piece made of a slide friendly material. The pair of shoes further include the material piece include instructions of directions of use of the roller ball and material piece. The material piece and the roller ball are held in the fascia and muscle maintenance pouch. The fascia and muscle maintenance pouch is inserted in one of the first or second shoes.

A method for golfing, the method comprising: placing a first and second shoes on right and left feet; tightening transverse and angled straps on the first and second shoes, wherein the transverse and angled straps form a “V” shape on each of the shoes, and wherein the straps are in a >> formation; and swinging a golf club from right to left.

A method for golfing, the method comprising: placing a first and second shoes on right and left feet; tightening transverse and angled straps on the first and second shoes, wherein the transverse and angled straps form a “V” shape on each of the shoes, and wherein the straps are in a << formation; and swinging a golf club from left to right.

A trailing shoe comprising: a first transverse strap anchored at a first lateral point (X1) on the first shoe and running to a first loop at a medial point (Y1) on the first shoe; and a second angled strap anchored at the first lateral point (X1′) on the first shoe and running to a second loop at a medial angled point (Z1) on the second shoe.

A leading shoe comprising: a second transverse strap anchored at a second medial point (X2) on the second shoe and running to a third loop at the lateral point (Y2) on the second shoe; and a second angled strap anchored at the second medial point (X2′) on the second shoe and running to a fourth loop at a lateral angled point (Z2).

According to some embodiments, there is a hard soled golf shoe for providing physiological awareness and structural performance to a user.

Other aspects and features will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of some exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a pair of shoes, in accordance with an embodiment

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the left shoe of the pair of shoes of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the right shoe of the pair of shoes of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the pair of shoes of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are outside and inside views, respectively, of the left shoe;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are inside and outside views, respectively, of the right shoe;

FIG. 7 is a top skeletal view of a foot;

FIG. 8 is a leg skeletal view of the foot of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a pair of shoes for a left to right swing, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a photo of a facia and muscle maintenance kit, in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a top skeletal view of a right foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of each claimed embodiment. No embodiment described below limits any claimed embodiment and any claimed embodiment may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed embodiments are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not covered by any of the claimed embodiments. Any embodiment disclosed below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such embodiment by its disclosure in this document.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6B and 9, illustrated therein is a pair of shoes 10, 12 including a trailing shoe 10 and a leading shoe 12, in accordance with an embodiment. The shoes 10, 12 each include a top portion 14 positioned above a sole 16. The sole 16 may be made of a hard and stiff material. The shoes 10, 12 may optionally include fasteners such as laces 15 that work in a conventional manner. The shoes 10, 12 may be golf shoes, or shoes for other sports that may have a swinging motion. For example, golf shoes may have spikes or other features as is known in the art.

The shoes 10, 12 include straps 18-21, having a modified “V” configuration. In FIGS. 1-6B, the location of the straps 18-21 is based on a right to left swing phase direction for athlete players that swing from right to left, indicated by arrow 22. Where the athlete player swings from left to right, (as shown in FIG. 9) the strapping 18-21 is opposite or mirrored. The straps 18-21 may provide for an increase in foot stability within the shoe 10, 12. The straps 18-21 may be made of corresponding hook and loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro) or other mechanisms, as is known in the art.

In contrast, conventional shoes may have two straps that run laterally and parallel to each other across the shoe thereby providing stability only in the sagittal plane.

In contrast to conventional shoes, the strapping 18-21 of the shoes is not symmetrical or mirrored as between the left shoe 12 and right shoe 10. The shoes 10, 12 provide unsymmetrical forces to the user's feet. The shoes 10, 12 provide a desired level of movement restriction across multiple planes including the sagittal and lateral planes. The force provided by the straps 18-21 can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 8. The straps 18-21 provide propreoceptive feedback to the musculo skeletal aspects of the foot. The musclulo skeletal framework instead of aspects—of foot similar to the retinaculum of the ankle. This propreoceptive feedback may indirectly add to the foot and ankle complex of the human body.

For the right to left swing of FIG. 1, the shoe 10 includes a single piece 18 divided into two straps 18, 20. The straps 18, 20 have one anchor 24 at X, in the lateral aspect of the shoe 10. The anchor 24 may be common to both straps 18, 20. The straps 18, 20 form into a modified “V” configuration. The straps 18, 20 include a transverse strap 18 closer to the toe of the shoe 10 and an angled strap 20 closer to the heel of the shoe 10.

The transverse strap 18 runs from lateral point X1 to medial point Y1 just posterior to the first metatarsal phalangeal (MTP) joint of the foot. The transverse strap 18 loops at 26 in the area Y1 posterior to the first MTP joint to fold over and fasten to itself (e.g. by hook and loop fastener, Velcro). The transverse strap 18 may be generally parallel to a direction of swing or target direction 22, as a user may be positioned with their feet in line with the target direction 22. The transverse strap 18 may be positioned generally left-right across the shoe.

The angled strap 20 runs from the anchor 24 at lateral point X1′, across the metatarsals of mid foot in a posteromedial direction to point Z1. The angled strap 20 loops has a loop 28 at point Z1 in the area of the navicular bone to fold over and fasten to itself (e.g. by hook and loop, Velcro). The angled strap 20 may restrict motion in the sagittal plane as well as in the lateral plane.

X1 and X1′ may be at the same location on the shoe 10. The point Z1 may be located a distance D1 towards the heel of the shoe 10 such that the angled strap 20 is angled at an angle W1. Distance D1 may be for example the length of the first MTP. The position Z1 is selected based on the relative position of the 1st to the 5th MPT joints. The position Z1 is posterior to the joints to allow unimpeded dorsi and plantar flexion of the MTP.

The left shoe 12 includes a transverse strap 19 and an angled strap 21. The transverse and angled straps 19, 21 have a pair of anchors 29, 30, respectively located at the medial aspect X2 and X2′ of the shoe 12. The straps 19, 21 form a modified “V” configuration toward the lateral aspect of the shoe 12.

The transverse strap 19 runs from medial point X2 to lateral point Y2 just posterior to the first set of toe joints. The transverse strap 19 may not interfere with toe extension. The transverse strap 19 has a loop at 30 in the area Y2 posterior to the fourth or fifth toe joints to fold over and fasten (e.g. hook and loop, Velcro) to itself. The loop at 30 may be located on the reinforced part of the shoe 12 where the laces 15 are located. The transverse strap 19 may be generally parallel to a direction of swing/target direction 22, as a user may be positioned with their feet in line with the target direction 22. The transverse strap 19 may be positioned generally left-right across the shoe.

The angled strap 21 runs postero lateral from X2′ and loops at Z2, in line and toward the heel from the transverse strap 19. The loop is located on the reinforced portion 32 where the laces 15 are located to fold over and fasten (e.g. hook and loop, Velcro) to itself. The angled strap 21 may restrict motion in the sagittal plane as well as in the lateral plane.

X2 and X2′ may be at the same location on the shoe 12. The point Z2 may be located a distance D2 towards the heel of the shoe 12 such that the angled strap 21 is angled at an angle W2. Distance D2 may be, for example, the length of the first MTP.

Looking from the top view, for the right to left swing of FIGS. 1-6B the straps may have a generally >> formation on the foot. While for the left to right swing of FIG. 9, the straps may have a generally << formation.

Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, illustrated is skeletal image of a user's foot 100 and musculature diagram of a user's leg 110. FIG. 7 shows the strap positioning for a leading left foot 100 and the location of a transverse force 102 provided by a transverse strap (e.g. strap 19) and an angled force 104 provided by an angled strap (e.g. strap 21). The transverse force 102 runs from the first to fifth MTP behind the MTP joint. The angled force 104 runs from the first MTP to cuboid fifth MTP joint.

FIG. 8 shows the strap positioning for a trailing right foot 110 and the location of a transverse force 112 provided by a transverse strap (e.g. strap 18) and an angled force 114 provided by an angled strap (e.g. strap 20). Strapping may provide added proprioceptine feedback to the soft tissue structures.

The shoes 10, 12 may include a heel lift 34 to create changes in pelvic positioning and loading on spinal and lower limb segments. While the changes in pelvic positioning may be slight, increasing the heel height may force the toe into dorsiflexion which increases the Windlass effect, a desired mechanism that forces supination to form a rigid lever in order to develop force. The heel lift 34 may aid in the treatment or prevention of Plantar Fasciitis. For example the heel lift 34 may be between 5 and 7 mm in height. In certain embodiments, the heel lift 34 is 5 mm. In some embodiments, the heel lift 34 is between about 18.5 mm to 20.5 mm. In some embodiments, the heel lift is 20.5 mm.

The shoes 10, 12 may include a stiff half or full heel counter to increase proprioception to aid in control of pronation. The stiff heel counter may help to keep the upward forces through the limbs in a straight line, thus reducing risk of injury to the knee and hip joints of a user.

The shoes 10, 12 may include a moderately pliable area 36 of the shoe at the MTP joints to allow for easier extension of the hallucis and phalanges when desired.

A method for wearing shoe including using the above described shoe when playing the sport of golf, swinging a golf club, other sports equipment.

A method for golfing may include placing a first and second shoes on right and left feet, tightening transverse and angled straps on the first and second shoes and swinging a golf club from right to left. The transverse and angled straps form a “V” shape on each of the shoes. The straps are in a >> formation.

A method for golfing may include placing a first and second shoes on right and left feet, tightening transverse and angled straps on the first and second shoes, and swinging a golf club from left to right. The transverse and angled straps form a “V” shape on each of the shoes. The straps are in a << formation.

FIG. 10 illustrates a facia and muscle maintenance kit 50, in accordance with an embodiment. The facia and muscle maintenance kit 50 includes a fascia and muscle maintenance pouch 40. The fascia and muscle maintenance pouch 40 includes a pull through cord and plastic or wooden bead anchor at the opening. The pouch 40 houses contents, and a user may pack contents into the shoe 10, 12 when foot work is completed. In an embodiment, the cord at least 12 inches in length to provide pouch hanging capability.

The pouch 40 may include a roller ball 42 with nodules throughout full circumference of the roller ball 42. The diameter of roller ball 42 may be, for example, 2 inches. The roller ball 42 may be made of a soft and resilient material such as rubber. The pouch 40 may also include a material piece 44. The material piece 44 may be, for example, 15 inches in length and 13 inches in width. The material piece 44 may be slide friendly with small resistance to slide only. The material piece 44 may be folded into a book shape.

The pouch 40 may include a cardboard piece fitted to keep the material piece 44 in the book shape. The material piece 44 and/or the cardboard piece may have images and/or text to explain the importance of fascia and muscle activation for activities and why post activity work for fascia and muscle is important. The material piece 44 and/or the cardboard piece may have instructional diagrams for direction on use of the material piece 44 and the roller ball 42. The instructional diagrams may also include on the spot movements that do not include the roller ball 42 or the material piece 44. For example, the instructional diagrams may show five movements or ten diagrams in total. The pouch 40 may be placed inside a shoe, for example, the shoes 10, 12.

The pouch 40 may encourage user's to perform the facia and muscle maintenance before and after golfing, for example, when before the golfer begins a round of golf, or after the golfer finished the round for the day. This may be an advantageous time for the user to be reminded to perform the facia and muscle maintenance exercises described on the material piece 44 or the cardboard piece.

Turning now to FIG. 11, illustrated is skeletal image of a user's right foot 120 according to one embodiment. In particular, FIG. 11 shows the strap positioning for a trailing right foot 120 and the location of a transverse force 122 provided by a transverse strap (e.g. strap 18) and an angled force 124 provided by an angled strap (e.g. strap 20).

While the above description provides examples of one or more apparatus, methods, or systems, it will be appreciated that other apparatus, methods, or systems may be within the scope of the claims as interpreted by one of skill in the art. 

1. A pair of shoes comprising: a trailing shoe including: a first transverse strap anchored at a first lateral point (X1) on the first shoe and running to a first loop at a medial point (Y1) on the first shoe; a second angled strap anchored at the first lateral point (X1′) on the first shoe and running to a second loop at a medial angled point (Z1) at a distance (D1) towards the heel on the first shoe; a leading shoe including: a second transverse strap anchored at a second medial point (X2) on the second shoe and running to a third loop at the lateral point (Y2) on the second shoe; and a second angled strap anchored at the second medial point (X2′) on the second shoe and running to a fourth loop at a lateral angled point (Z2) at a distance (D2) towards the heel on the first shoe.
 2. The pair of shoes of claim 1, wherein the trailing shoe is a right shoe and the leading shoe is a left shoe, and the user swings from left to right.
 3. The pair of shoes of claim 1, wherein the trailing shoe is a left shoe and the leading shoe is a right shoe, and the user swings from left to right.
 4. The pair of shoes of claim 2 where the swing is a golf swing.
 5. The pair of shoes of claim 1, wherein the transverse strap runs across and proximal to the first metatarsal phalangeal joint.
 6. The pair of shoes of claim 1, wherein the first transverse strap and first angled strap form a “V” shape.
 7. The pair of shoes of claim 6, wherein the second transverse strap and the second angled strap form a “V” shape.
 8. The pair of shoes of claim 7, wherein the V points opposite the direction of ball travel caused by a swinging golf club.
 9. The pair of shoes of claim 1 further comprising: a fascia and muscle maintenance pouch having a pull through cord and anchor at pouch opening.
 10. The pair of shoes of claim 9 further comprising: a roller ball with nodules throughout the circumference of the ball.
 11. The pair of shoes of claim 10 further comprising: a material piece made of a slide friendly material.
 12. The pair of shoes of claim 11, wherein the material piece include instructions of directions of use of the roller ball and material piece.
 13. The pair of shoes of claim 12, wherein the material piece and the roller ball are held in the fascia and muscle maintenance pouch.
 14. The pair of shoes of claim 13, wherein the fascia and muscle maintenance pouch is inserted in one of the first or second shoes.
 15. A method for golfing, the method comprising: placing a first and second shoes on right and left feet; tightening transverse and angled straps on the first and second shoes, wherein the transverse and angled straps form a “V” shape on each of the shoes, and wherein the straps are in a >> formation; and swinging a golf club from right to left.
 16. A method for golfing, the method comprising: placing a first and second shoes on right and left feet; tightening transverse and angled straps on the first and second shoes, wherein the transverse and angled straps form a “V” shape on each of the shoes, and wherein the straps are in a << formation; and swinging a golf club from left to right.
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled) 